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Saturday, May 1, 2010

OK, I know I should be continuing on about the Daffodil show but I just can't/won't overlook the Kentucky Derby. I have loved the derby since I was a kid. It has captured that magical, wonderful, dream notion that seems to have me pretty well wrapped up in horses.

I actually got to see a couple of the races that were run with Derby hopefuls this year. It's the first time I've had access to such races and it made things all the more exciting for me. I can't tell you who won them because my memory sucks....but the fact I got to see them at all was amazing!

Today, I watched nearly every moment of the derby preshow and then the race. I love the outrageous hats and the designer clothes but if I could be there, you can bet I'd be wearing jeans.......and probably old ones at that. On my head, who knows? A baseball cap with my horse's name or maybe a cowboy hat. It's fun just thinking about the possibilities.

I loved that there was no clear favorite. Racing is just so much more fun when even the experts don't have a clue. I loved that the track was sloppy making things all the more unpredictable. I loved that there were twenty horses in the field. A huge number, for sure, but it just added all that much more excitement.

I loved that there was a filly in the class..........and yes, I was rooting for her. I was also rooting for the group of twenty-five blue collared owners and their $10,000 horse. If that's not the stuff dreams and even legends sometimes are made of, nothing is.

I loved that Calvin Borel was riding again. He's come a long way since that first win. He seems to be more polished in his interviews. He's definitely gained confidence in what he has to say.

Speaking of Calvin Borel, I love that he thinks it's important to study the horse, all horses. He believes they have something to teach him and that affects how he rides. What I love most about him is he still has integrity. Something not seen enough in the horse industry.

Most of all, I loved today's race. It was exciting to watch that huge field break out of the gate and head for the rail. It was exciting to see a horse come from the 20th position on up to the front. Many horses couldn't get there. It was exciting to see those blue collared owners horse gave them a thrill.......even if it didn't hold on. It was a helluva ride. I'll bet they never forget it. And, of course, it was exciting to see Calvin Borel come up the rail and into the lead with Ice Box racing up in hot pursuit. My blood pumped all the way through the race and on into the replay.

Oh ya, lest I forget, it was fun to see Super Saver's $100,000 CNBC on the nose tickets (it took forty of them to add up to that total) paid off at $900,000. I'm pretty sure that guy will never forget this day. Better than winning the lottery. I'd guess. There's nothing as exciting as having your horse come in..........but a Kentucky Derby horse with a ticket "won" in the first place. Talk about a dream............

Wasn't it great? I was rooting for Jackson Bend (since Jackson is my horse, I HAD TOO!), but I loved it all! My best friend went one year, and she had SO much fun! I too watched all of the pre-show, the race, the re-play of the race, and got teary when horse and rider were standing with all the roses... I also said a big prayer before the race that everyone would be safe and alive at the end of the race! I was so worried about that sloppy track! One of the docs was at the Derby the year of the Eight Bells debacle, and I gotta say, I'm glad I missed that race.... didn't you love the guys face when he saw the horse win and realized he had just won $900,000? Now maybe, he can afford a better toupee! HEE HEE... Ah...the Derby. Nothing like it. Except the World Equestrian Games, and the Olympics, and Rolex, and Devon, and a backyard show......

That was a fun race, and I enjoyed seeing Calvin win again. I admire him so much. I just tuned in for the race itself, didn't watch all of the pre-race stuff.

I did make sure that I watched the post parade because someone that I know from a horse forum actually was ponying one of the horses. She and her 26 year old ex race horse, Orbit, were ponying Mission Impazable. That old horse looked fantastic, as calm and cool as a cucumber. I bet that will be one race that lady never forgets.

I WAS THERE WITH U , SCREAMING, JUMPING, TELLING CALVIN HOW TO RIDE THAT RACE!! WHEW!!WHEN I WAS LITTLE THAT WAS MY DREAM. TO BE A JOCKEY. MOST GIRLS WANTED TO BE TEACHERS,NURSES OR SECRETERIES; NOT ME. I READ EVERY BOOK WALTER FARLEY EVER WROTE(BLACK STALLION SERIES) AND HIS MAN O' WAR.I GREW TOO BIG TO BE A JOCKEY.BUT I HAVE MISSED FEW DERBIES SINCE THE 70'S.I WAS ROOTING FOR THE FILLY AS WELL.:=)SEE YA AT THE PREAKNESS!!